Brondajel of the Rock, on the part of the Romans. Ere long the Roman Knights appeared on goodly horses, and armed in new and rich armour; and being of great stature and large limb'd, they had the semblance of valiant men: they came with bag-pipes and trumpets, and other loud instruments; all their countrymen accompanied them, and in this array they went before the King, and said, Sir, we will carry the heads of those Greek Knights to Rome, and let it not displease you if we do the same with Don Grumedan, for your displeasure would grieve us: bid him therefore unsay what he has said, and confess that the Roman Knights are the best in the world. The King, instead of replying to this speech, said, go do your battle, and let them who shall win their enemies' heads, do with them as they please. They then entered the lists, and the two Roman judges placed them in their places, while King Arban and the Count of Clara, did the same by Grumedan, and his companions. The Queen now came with her Dames and Damsels to the window, to behold this combat; and she sent for Don Guilan the Pensive, who was still weak with his sickness, and for Cendil of Ganota, whose wound was not yet healed; and she said to Don Guilan, my good friend, what think you of this point wherein my father Don
Grumedan is placed? for she called him father, because he had fostered her; those Devils terrify me, they are so huge and fierce. Lady, replied Guilan, the event of arms depends upon God and a good cause; were I yonder with those two Knights, in the stead of Grumedan, I should not fear the Romans, though a fourth were added to them. Much was the Queen consoled at that saying, and she prayed to God in her heart to help her foster-father.
The Knights now moved on to their encounter; they were all practised in arms and in horsemanship, and neither missed his encounter: their lances all brake, and then happened what never before had been seen in a combat of so many before the King, that the three Romans were borne from their saddles, and Don Grumedan and his comrades kept their seats unmoved. Presently they turned their horses, and saw that the Romans had risen, and stood together. Don Bruneo who had received a slight wound in his left side, said to Grumedan, since we have shewn them that we know how to joust, it would not be reasonable now they are on foot, to attack them on horseback; the three then alighted, and went up to their antagonists. Sir Knights of Rome, said Bruneo, you must have
left your horses to shew how little you regard them; but though we are not so renowned as ye are, we will not permit you to make this boast, and therefore have also forsaken ours. The Romans, whose pride was somewhat quelled by their fall, made no reply, but fell to with their swords. Then was there a fierce battle, and its marks were seen in broken shields and helmets and streaming wounds. But Don Grumedan, whose enmity against the Romans was very great, chafed himself with great choler, and pressing on before his comrades was sorely hurt: but at that the other twain who had hitherto kept back their strength while they bore the heat of their enemies fury, now showed themselves, and pressed on the Romans with such might that the most they could do was to defend themselves, and that hardly. Maganil, who was the bravest of the Romans, being no longer able to endure Angriote's blows, gave way before him, and drew as near to the Queen's window as he could, and cried out Mercy, Lady, for God's sake! and I confess all that Don Grumedan has said. Shame on thee, cried the conqueror, that is already manifest. And he plucked off his helmet and lifted his arm as if to behead him, but at that the Queen withdrew; and Don Guilan then cried out, Sir Knight of Greece, do not carry so
proud a head as this to your country, but let him carry his sweet odours where they will be liked. So be it then, replied Angriote, for the Queen's sake and for your's whom I know not. I leave him to you, see you that his wounds be cured, for I have cured him of his arrogance. Then he turned back and saw that Don Grumedan had smote his enemy, and was kneeling on his breast, and pummelling his face with the hilt of his sword, but the Roman cried out aloud, Ah! Don Grumedan, spare me! I confess what you have said is truth, and what I said is a lie. Angriote full glad at this, called the judges, to hear what the Roman said, and shewed them how the other one had fled out of the lists from Don Bruneo. But Salustanquidio and Brondajel were so cast down, that they retired to their lodging, and could not appear before the King.
Don Grumedan then rode before the King, and kissed his hand: and Bruneo said, God be with you Sir, we must return to our friend the Greek Knight. God be with you, replied Lisuarte, ye have truly shewn yourselves to be good men in arms. The Damsel Embassadress then said to Lisuarte, be pleased Sir to hear me a while in private, before I depart: the King then bade all
present withdraw, and then she said to him, Sir, hitherto you have been the best of all Christian Kings, and he to whom all Damsels looked with the most assured hope, to have their wrongs redressed. How is your noble condition altered, that you use this cruelty and this sin against God and your own daughter and your natural subjects! you who as King are bound to observe right to all, and as father to protect her though she were by all the world forsaken. Not only to all the world is this an ill example, but her tears and lamentations rise up to God against you. Look to it, and let the end of your days be like the beginning. Now God prosper you!—God be with you. Damsel, replied Lisuarte, of a truth I believe you are good and of great discretion.
She went to the two Knights, and they embarked on board their galley, and made such speed that in two days and nights they rejoined their fleet. Joyfully were they welcomed, and right glad was the Greek Knight to hear how they had succoured Don Grumedan in his need. Know you what the King will do with his daughter? said Grasinda.—In four days she will be delivered to the Romans; but to see Lady, the grief which she and her Damsels and all the people make! no tongue can
tell it. Tears came into Grasinda's eyes, and she prayed God to send that poor Princess some help in this so great and undeserved a calamity. But the Greek Knight was a happy man hearing this, for he had resolved to rescue her; he neither regarded the power of King Lisuarte nor of the Emperor of Rome, for he could give them enough to do, and as by no other way could he hope to gain possession of his beloved, so also in thus winning her, she would be his without any fault or breach of duty; these thoughts possessed him, when at the hour of tierce they reached the port in the Firm Island. The Islanders, who daily expected him, had seen the fleet afar off and knew his signals; then was there great joy, for they all loved him well, and they crowded down to the shore, and with them his kinsmen and friends. When Grasinda beheld such a multitude awaiting them, she was greatly amazed, and the more so hearing them shout Welcome! Welcome our Lord, who has so long been absent from us! Sir, quoth she, how is this that they greet you thus? He replied, pardon me Lady that I have so long concealed myself, for otherwise I could not have done without danger. I am master of this Island, and that Amadis of Gaul of whom you have sometimes heard. These Knights are all my kinsmen
and friends, and that multitude my vassals, hardly will you find Knights in the world to equal their valour. I did not know you, replied Grasinda, and I treated you as a poor Errant Knight! howbeit some consolation is it to think that what honours you received from me, were paid to your own valour only, not to your rank or power. Lady, said Amadis, the honours I received from you, are more than either I, or those who are better than me, can ever repay.